Means for securing awning fabric to awning rollers



Sept. 1, 1953 E. P. DAZZO 2,650,662 MEANS FOR SECURING AWNING FABRIC TO AWNING RQLLERS Filed March 12, 1952 INVENTOR.

$4 5 .51 I I ERRoL P. DAzzo BY P. 7, a! Z4 :4? T5511 5) Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES ea'renr OFFICE;

MEANS FOR SECURING AWNING FABRIC TO AWNING ROLLERS 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means for securing an awning fabric to an awning roller and the present application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier application Serial No. 169,204, filed June 20, 1950.

Prior to the present invention, it has been customary to construct awning rollers to have inner spool bodies of wood or the like with a sheet metal sheath engaged thereabout. The meeting longitudinal edges of the sheath have been turned inward and secured to the spool body by headed nails driven between the ends with the same nails being used to secure the awning fabric to the spool. Such construction has been found objectionable because removal of the nails to free the awning fabric to be replaced also released the ends of the sheath with the result that replacement of the fabric was accompanied by release of the sheath requiring that it be re-anchored in position together with the new awning fabric.

The present invention proposes an improvement of the prior art constructions in which the metal sheath is anchored to the spool body independently of the awning fabric so that when the fabric is being removed to be replaced, the sheath is not also freed to thereby eliminate the objection to the prior art construction.

As a further object, the present invention proposes modifications of the present invention which adopt the developments of the present improvement to awning rollers whether they have spool bodies formed of wood or metal.

Still further, the present invention proposes joining the meeting edges of the metal sheath by an inturned seam fitted against a flat surface formed on the wooden spool body or fitted into a longitudinally extended groove formed in the metal spool body to thereby, in. addition to joining the longitudinal meeting edges, hold the metal 1 sheath against turning relative to the spool body.

The present invention further proposes forming the spool body with a longitudinally extended groove into which the metal sheath has a portion fitted so as to formv a longitudinally extended outwardly opening channel in a manner to receive anchor means inserted through the awning fabric and thereby independently secure the awning fabric to the roller.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means for securing an awning fabric to an awning roller which is simple and durable, whi h is efiective for its intended purpose and which can be applied to awning constructions For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On the accompanying drawing forming a material part of the present disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a detailed elevational view of the end of an awning roller constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the end of the awning roller shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a modification of the present invention.

The awning, according to the first form of the present invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4, includes an awning roller Hi to which a longitudinal edge of an awning. fabric II is secured. The awning roller it) includes an elongated inner spool body I2 shaped of wood to have a circular cross-section as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The two ends of the roller I6 are alike in construction diifering only in the fact that the one end-the end shown in Fig. 1-is connected to mechanism for turning the roller in one direction or the other to wind and unwind the awning fabric I I. At each end, the inner spool body 12 is formed with a transverse slot It into which there is fitted the transverse rib l5 integrally formed with an end cap I 5 fitted onto the respective end of the spool body l2. The end caps 16 are secured in position by means of nails ll inserted through holes formed in the end caps and hammered into the material of the spool body l2.

The outer faces of the end caps it are formed with concentric tubular bosses it into which the inner ends of end aligned trunnions 19 are inserted. The trunnions is are retained in position by means of bolts 20 which pass through the bosses l8 and the trunnions l9 at right angles to the axes of the trunnions Ill.

The trunnion H3 at the end of the awning roller it shown in Fig. 1, is received within a gear box 2i which is fixedly mounted on a wall and has a depending rotative hook 22 for engagement the usual crank. handle, not shown. The trunnion l9 at the other end of the awning roller, not shown on the drawing, is rotatively supported in a suitable wall bracket, so that rowithout materially increasing the cost thereof. tations of the crank handle in one direction or the other will cause similar rotation of the awning roller I!) to wind and unwind the awnin fabric H.

An elongated sheet of metal is engaged about the spool body l2, between the inner faces of the end caps l5, forming a metal sheath or covering 23 for the spool body. The meeting longitudinal edges of the metal sheath 23 are joined together by an inwardly turned seam 24, see Figs. 2 and 3. To accommodate the seam 24, without interrupting the roundness of the awning roller m, the side of the spool body I2 at the seam 24 is formed with a fiat side 25. The flat side 25 is of sufficient depth to be abutted by the seam 24 and so maintain the sheath 23 against rotative movement about the spool body 12.

The means for attaching the longitudinal edge of the awning fabric II to the awning roller 10 is characterized by the fact that the spool body l2, diametrically opposite the seam 24, is formed with a longitudinally extended groove 26. The sheath 23 has a portion 21 bent into and con formed to the shape of the groove 26 to thereby form an outwardly opening longitudinally extended channel 28. The longitudinal edge of the awning fabric I l is folded upon itself to be twoply and is extended across the open side of the channel 28 and anchor means are provided for insertion through the awning fabric and into the channel 28 to secure the awning fabric in position. The anchor means is characterized by elongated nails 29 which have their shanks inserted through the two plies of the awning fabric and pressed into the channel 28 at spaced positions along the length thereof. The nails 29 are spaced along the length of the channel 28 and have enlarged heads 3!] bearing against the outer face of the awning fabric II. The shanks of the nails 29 are of a diameter just slightly greater than the width of the channel 28 so as to have a force fit within the channel to be frictionally retained in position.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the attachment of the awning fabric I l and the attachment of the metal sheath 23 are independent of each other so that removal of the awning fabric for replacement does not release the metal sheath from its connection with the spool body I2.

In the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the construction of the awning roller I is characterized by a spool body l2 formed of metal. In this form of the invention, the seam 24 which joins the longitudinal meeting edges of the metal sheath 23, is received within a longitudinally extended groove 2 formed in the spool body l2 diametrically opposite the groove 25.

A slightly different arrangement is also provided for anchoring the end of the awning fabric l I in position. In this form of the invention, the longitudinal edge of the awning fabric H which is anchored in position is left unfolded to be of one-ply thickness. The anchor means is characterized by self-tapping screws 29 which have threaded shanks inserted through the awning fabric ll and threaded into the channel 28. The screws 29' have enlarged heads 30 which bear against the outer face of the awning fabric,

The shanks of the self-tapping screws 29' are of a diameter just slightly greater than the width of the channel 28 so that when they are tightened into position they will cut threads in the opposed walls of the channel and thereby cause the screws to be securely anchored in the channel.

In all other respects, the form of the invention shown in Fig. is similar to that described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4 and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An awning roller to which is secured an awning fabric, comprising an elongated inner spool body, an elongated metal sheet bent about said spool body to form a sheath therefor, means securing together the meeting longitudinal edges of said sheet of metal. to thereby hold said sheath against rotation with relation to said spool body, said spool body having a longitudinally extended groove in one side thereof, said sheath having a portion fitted into said groove forming a longitudinally extended outwardly opening channel, and anchor means inserted through the awning fabric and received within said channel securing the awning fabric to the roller, said spool body being formed of wood, said wooden spool body having a flat side diametrically opposite said groove, said securing means comprising an inturned seam formed along said meeting edges and abutted against said flat side.

2. An awning roller to which is secured an awning fabric, comprising an elongated inner spool body, an elongated metal sheet bent about said spool body to form a sheath therefor, means securing together the meeting longitudinal edges of said sheet of metal to thereby hold said sheath against rotation with relation to said spool body, said spool body having a longitudinally extended groove in one side thereof, said sheath having a portion fitted into said groove forming a longitudinally extended outwardly opening channel, and anchor means inserted through the awning fabric and received within said channel securing the awning fabric to the roller, said spool body being formed of wood, said wooden spool body having a fiat side diametrically opposite said groove, said securing means comprising an inturned seam formed along said meeting edges and abutted against said flat side, said anchor means comprising nails having enlarged heads and shanks inserted through the awning fabric and extended into said channel, said awning fabric being folded upon itself to be of two-ply thickness where the shanks of said nails are inserted.

3. An awning roller to which is secured an awning fabric, comprising an elongated inner spool body, an elongated metal sheet bent about said spool body to form a sheath therefor, means securing together the meeting longitudinal edges of said sheet of metal to thereby hold said sheath against rotation with relation to said spool body, said spool body having a longitudinally extended groove in one side thereof, said sheath having a portion fitted into said groove forming a longitudinally extended outwardly opening channel, and anchor means inserted through the awning fabric and received within said channel securing the awning fabric to the roller, said spool body being formed of wood, said wooden spool body having a flat side diametrically opposite said groove, said securing means comprising an turned seam formed along said meeting edges and abutted against said flat side, said anchor means comprising nails having enlarged heads and shanks inserted through the awning fabric and extended into said channel, the shanks of said nails having a diameter slightly greater than the width of said channel to have a force frictional fit in said channel.

4. An awning roller to which is secured an awning fabric, comprising an elongated inner spool body, an elongated metal sheet bent about said spool body to form a sheath therefor, means securing together the meeting longitudinal edges of said sheet of metal to thereby hold said sheath against rotation with relation to said spool body, said spool body having a longitudinally extended groove in one side thereof, said sheath having a portion fitted into said groove forming a longitudinally extended outwardly opening channel, and anchor means inserted through the awning fabric and received within said channel securing the awning fabric to the roller, said spool body being formed of metal, said metallic spool body having a second groove diametrically opposite said first groove, said securing means comprising an inturned seam formed along said meeting edges and inserted into said second groove.

5. An awning roller to which is secured an awning fabric, comprising an elongated inner spool body, an elongated metal sheet bent about said spool body to form a sheath therefor, means securing together the meeting longitudinal edges of said sheet of metal to thereby hold said sheath against rotation with relation to said spool body, said spool body having a longitudinally extended groove in one side thereof, said sheath having a portion fitted into said groove forming a longitudinally extended outwardly opening channel, and anchor means inserted through the awning fabric and received within said channel securing the awning fabric to the roller, said spool body being formed of metal, said metallic spool body having a second groove diametrically opposite said first groove, said securing means comprising an inturned seam formed along said meeting edges and inserted into said second groove, said anchor means comprising self -tapping screws having enlarged heads and threaded shanks inserted through the awning fabric and extended into said channel.

6. An awning roller to which is secured an awning fabric, comprising an elongated inner spool body, an elongated metal sheet bent about said spool body to form a sheath therefor, means securing together the meeting longitudinal edges of said sheet of metal to thereby hold said sheath against rotation with relation to said spool body, said spool body having a longitudinally extended groove in one side thereof, said sheath having a portion fitted into said groove forming a longitudinally extended outwardly opening channel, and anchor means inserted through the awning fabric and received within said channel securing the awning fabric to the roller, said spool body being formed of metal, said metallic spool body having a second groove diametrically opposite said first groove, said securing means comprising an inturned seam formed along said meeting edges and inserted into said second groove, said anchor means comprising self-tapping screws having enlarged heads and threaded shanks inserted through the awning fabric and extended into said channel, said threaded shanks of said self-tapping screws being of a diameter slightly greater than the width of said channel to cut threads in the side walls of the channel as the screws are tightened into position.

'7. In combination, an awning roller comprising a metal tube having a preformed longitudinal U-shaped and inset channel and wood core plugs formed with mating channels and snugly fitted in the tube, the U-shaped longitudinal channel having parallel side walls and having a mouth normally open the full length of the channel and the channel extending for the length of the tube and roller, and metal end caps fitted on the ends of the preformed tube and coupled to the wood cores, the side walls of the U-shaped channel being relatively close to each other, and adapted to snugly receive fastener pins driven into the channel against the resistance of said side walls and the compressive resistance of the enclosed wood core plug, the wood core plug having a longitudinal chamiel to snugly receive the U- channel.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7, including awning fabric fastening pins wider than the space between the side walls of the U-shaped channel.

ERROL P. DAZZO.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 536,933 Norpeth Apr. 2, 1895 617,203 Taylor Jan. 3, 1899 886,400 Palmer May 5, 1908 

